Chicago Under Urgent Winter Storm Warning: Up to 8 Inches Expected

URGENT UPDATE: A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Chicago area until 6 a.m. Sunday, with a significant snowstorm set to unleash 5 to 8 inches of snow across the region in the next 24 hours. The warning will expire at midnight for several areas, including Ford and Iroquois, Illinois, and Benton, Jasper, and Newton, Indiana.

As of Saturday morning, light snow and flurries are already impacting some locations. ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists project the heaviest snowfall to occur between noon and 8 p.m. Saturday. There is a possibility that some areas could transition from snow to rain late Saturday night into Sunday morning, complicating driving conditions further.

Residents in and around Chicago and Northwest Indiana should prepare for challenging weather, with forecasts suggesting that areas north and west of the city may receive more than 8 inches of snow. Wind gusts could reach up to 30 miles per hour, making travel especially hazardous.

The Illinois Tollway urges holiday travelers to exercise caution as snow blankets the roads, coinciding with the post-Thanksgiving rush. The storm is expected to create dangerous travel conditions for thousands returning home after the holiday festivities.

Following the storm, frigid temperatures will persist on Sunday, with overnight lows plunging into single digits. This severe weather is set to impact not just Chicago but also the broader Midwest and East Coast, potentially endangering those on the move after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing situation unfolds. Those in affected areas are advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.